New England Bird Clubs
Join A Local Bird Club
By joining a local birding club, you will quickly improve your birding skills, meet new people in your community, visit beautiful places and learn more about birds, conservation, habitat, ecology, natural history, general history, environmental justice, citizen science, biodiversity, and climate change. Bonus? Club trips are lots of fun!
Most bird clubs are either free to join or less than $40 annually and most offer many free events and bird walks—including lots of walks for beginners. Many also offer talks, photography workshops, community service, social events, and lots more. Most also include several bird trips each year that are accessible to people with disabilities. Every club is different.
We encourage you to visit their websites and explore their calendars. Many birders end up joining several clubs.
If you are new to New England, spend part of your summer here, or you attend a college in New England, your local bird club can be a great way to meet new people in your area and explore natural places.
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Active Clubs
Connecticut
Audubon Connecticut
Connecticut Audubon Society
Connecticut Audubon is an independent Audubon organization headquartered in Fairfield and custodian of Milford Point and other beautiful sanctuaries. CT Audubon protects birds, wildlife, and habitat through conservation, education, and advocacy. We manage 21 sanctuaries and more than 3,300 acres of open space and educate over 100,000 children and adults annually.
Maine
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Massachusetts
Allen Bird Club
Bringing birders together since 19121. The Allen Bird Club serves area birders and others who appreciate nature by providing a program in which to develop common interests and share knowledge about birds. These interests are encouraged, first of all, by offering more than fifty birding field trips each year that are open to the public.
Springfield, MA
Anti-Racist Collective of Avid Birders
The Anti-racist Collective of Avid Birders is an inclusive, progressive birding group based in Western Massachusetts, that was established informally in June 2020. As of December 2021, we are also a regional affiliate of the Feminist Bird Club. We center and celebrate the experiences of Black, Indigenous, Latinx and birders of color; birders of all genders and sexual orientations; and birders with disabilities. Our work is dedicated to making the outdoors—and birding in particular— accessible and safe for people who find themselves under-represented or unacknowledged in traditional birding communities.
Western MA
Athol Bird & Nature Club
The Athol Bird & Nature Club was formed in 1963 to “enhance the appreciation of natural history in the North Quabbin Region.” Founded by Robert Coyle, an eighth-grade science teacher, the Club is now a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a diverse membership from around the region and beyond and takes pride in its leadership role in natural resources education and conservation in the North Quabbin Region. The ABNC is also the managing partner of the Millers River Environmental Center, which provides education and training for area citizens to enhance their appreciation for, connection with, and stewardship of the rich natural resources of the region.
Athol, MA
The Boston Birding Festival
While not a membership organization, the Boston Birding Festival currently offers occasional walks, talks, and other programs in partnership with other nonprofits working on environmental justice, conservation, and nature equity and access. Our events also include birding and nature experiences that bring diverse communities and discourses together to learn and engage in conversations about environmental challenges. Look for a full calendar of programming in 2023.
Statewide
Boxborough Birders
Boxborough Birders is an enthusiastic group of bird watchers from Boxborough, Massachusetts, and nearby towns, including Acton, Harvard, Stow, and Littleton. The group focuses primarily on local “patches” (habitats) in studying and learning about resident and migratory bird species. The group organizes walks throughout the year, especially during spring and fall migration. In the winter, Boxborough Birders participate in the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count as part of the Concord circle.
Boxborough, MA
Brookline BIrd Club
The Brookline Bird Club (BBC) is the largest, and one of the oldest and most active of the bird clubs in the US. Membership is open to all who are interested in birds and nature. We sponsor an active program of year-round field trips, covering the entire state of Massachusetts from the Berkshires to Stellwagen Bank, New England and beyond. During the peak of spring migration, walks are scheduled for every day of the week. Guests are welcome on Club walks and at Club meetings. Due to the current pandemic, club walks, webinars and workshops are open to members only, and only through online registration. This ensures precautionary measures of social distancing. Our offerings support conservation and education topics as well, including native plants, insects, bird identification, migration, and other topics connected to birds and habitat.
Boston/Brookline, MA
Eastern Massachusetts Hawk Watch
Founded in 1976, EMHW is an all-volunteer, member-based organization whose mission is to promote the study, conservation, and preservation of hawks locally and on a continental scale by monitoring migration in Massachusetts; to share data for research and conservation purposes; to promote education and awareness of the identification of hawks and the issues related to migrating hawks and to instill an appreciation for hawks in general.
Eastern MA
Emerald Necklace Bird Club
The Emerald Necklace Bird Club was established in 2005. The club works closely with the Friends of Jamaica Pond and Jamaica Pond Project, Boston Parks and Recreation Department, Boston Park Rangers, and many private and public agencies. The Emerald Necklace is the urban oasis for much of the natural world in Boston. Both migrating and long-term resident birds find the Emerald Necklace’s continuous open spaces, marshes, and wooded areas a haven. Join the Emerald Necklace Bird Club and explore this landscape and natural wonder each season — spring, summer, fall and winter.
Boston, MA
Essex County Ornithological Club
Established in 1916, the Essex County Ornithological Club promotes interest in ornithological study in Essex County, Massachusetts, and promotes the conservation of birds and their habitats in Essex County. The Club maintains a long tradition of holding an annual May bird census by canoe and on foot on and along the Ipswich River, periodically revises the official checklist of the birds of Essex County, presents speakers, and organizes field trips consistent with the above purposes.
Essex County MA
Feminist Bird Club (Boston)
Feminist Bird Club is a bird watching club dedicated to promoting diversity in birding and providing a safe opportunity to connect with the natural world in urban environments while fundraising to protect the rights of women, members of the LGBTQ+ community and other people of color. We offer free walks in locations accessible by public transportation, and encourage beginner birders to join. Any and all persons are welcome! You can subscribe to the Feminist Bird Club mailing list to receive updates on upcoming walks, events and more.
Boston, MA
Hampshire Bird Club
Hampshire Bird Club Inc. is an organization dedicated to helping people enjoy birding and to help them learn about birds and bird habitats. They offer monthly meetings including programs by renowned speakers, field trips for birders at any skill level, educational outreach, strong ties to the Christmas Bird Count, a lending library, a monthly newsletter and a Rare Bird Alert.
Pittsfield, MA
Hoffman Bird Club
The Hoffmann Bird Club was established in 1940 with a mission of promoting the study of birds in Berkshire County. The club was founded under the auspices of the Berkshire Museum. and named in honor of Ralph Hoffmann a naturalist who was born in Berkshire County. Meetings are open to anyone interested in birds. Field trips are led by experienced birders and beginners are welcome.
Pittsfield, MA
Menotomy Bird Club
The Menotomy Bird Club is dedicated to making birding accessible to everyone in the Mystic Valley Watershed. We have no dues, and all activities are free and open to members and non-members alike. All activities are posted on the web page, but we encourage people to join the Arlington Birds Listserve to get reminders of events as well as discussions of birds and birding in the area.
Arlington, MA
Merrimack Valley Bird Club
The Merrimack Valley Bird Club (MVBC) has been exploring the Merrimack Valley and North Shore of Massachusetts since 1948. Newcomers are welcome. Bring binoculars and/or spotting scope if you have them! Most walks include coffee and snacks at the end unless otherwise noted. Bring something to share if you can!
Andover, MA
Nutall Ornithological Club
Founded in 1873, the Nuttall Ornithological Club was the first organization in North America devoted to ornithology. During the Club’s nearly 150 years, its members have included the premier names in the field of ornithology, such as William Brewster, Ludlow Griscom, and Roger Tory Peterson. A primary goal of the club is to publish ornithological literature. Meetings are held monthly at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and feature speakers from all areas of ornithological expertise. The Nuttall Ornithological Club has, from its beginning in 1873, followed a policy of electing its members. For information about elections, see our website.
Cambridge, MA
Nasketucket Bird Club
Mattaposiett, MA
Paskamansett Bird Club
Paskamansett Bird Club was established in 1963 for the purpose of bringing people together who have the utmost fascination and appreciation for nature’s crown jewels, birds. Members are always willing to share their knowledge to help beginning birders enjoy their newly found hobby. We have many bird walks that take us to some of the most beautiful areas in Southern New England.
Dartmouth, MA
South Shore BIrd Club
The South Shore Bird Club (SSBC) was founded in 1946 and the first members set out to explore the birds and birding habitats of the South Shore of Massachusetts. We concentrate on field trips for both members and non members. Most trips involve car-pooling with occasional canoe trips or beach hikes. Non-members are always welcome.
Plymouth, MA
Urban Nature Walk
Since November of 2003, a group of nature lovers has met semi-regularly to explore and appreciate an urban area together. We enjoy seeing the birds and other animals, weeds and cultivated plants, mushrooms and lichens, insects and spiders as well as the non-living aspects of nature, as they appear to us amid the man-made chaos of the city.
Ware River Nature Club
Enthusiasm for the rich natural history of the north central Worcester County region led to the founding of the Hubbardston-Ware River Nature Club by a group of Hubbardston residents in 2014. Since then our membership has expanded, and members hail from all parts of northern Worcester County and beyond. To reflect this growth, our name was changed to Ware River Nature Club in 2015. We are a growing group of professional and amateur naturalists, hikers, birders, outdoor enthusiasts, artists, writers, plant-lovers, and more who believe that appreciation of nature and the outdoors begins in our own backyards.
New Hampshire
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Rhode Island
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Vermont
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Other Nature Clubs and Societies
Bird and Nature Photography Clubs
New England Nature Photographers
A large and active Facebook group for sharing and advice
Nature and Wildlife Photographers of New England and Beyond
A meet-u group
Recommended Resources
Accessibility Resources
Most New England bird clubs and festivals offer multiple accessible birding events. Please view club calendars and trip descriptions.
The Murmuration
Birdability
Regional Birding Trails
Lake Champlain Birding Trail (VT and NY)
Essex National Heritage Area Birding Trail, Massachusetts
Connecticut River Birding Trail, New Hampshire And Vermont
Rhode Island Coastal Birding Trail
Festivals, Conferences &Special Events
Acadia Birding Festival (late May)
Greater Cape Ann Chamber’s Annual Birding Boat Trip (March)
Mass Audubon Birdathon (Mid May)
Taking Flight: Birding in the Catskills (mid May)
Down East Spring Birding Festival (late May)
Trescott, ME, United States
Boston Birding Festival (late May with additional events year round)
Wings, Waves & Woods (September)
Adirondack Boreal Birding Festival
Rangely Lakes Festival (early June)
Massachusetts Birders Meeting (March)
For other Festivals
Special Interest Bird Conservation Groups
Conservation Leaders with Public Programming
Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences
The Trustees of Reservation
Sudbury Valley Trustees
Island Heritage Trust (Deer Isle, ME)
Woods Hole Oceonorgraphic Insituite
Activists Birding Organizations
Birding can bring people together. The organization listed here are dedicated to challenging historical patterns and prevailing views of outdoor recreation, birding and natural places and work to improve access to meaningful nature experiences.
Freedom Birders
Feminist Bird Club
Dievsift the Outdoor
Where To Go Birding
New England Bird Observer publishes detailed accounts of birding “hotspots,” written by locals. These articles are a wonderful research that combines deep local knowledge with personal observations.
eBird (MA)
IBA
WMA
Nature History Centers, Libraries and Museums
National Birding Organizations
Records and Reports
Pelagic Birding & Whale Watching
Community Counts & Roundups
Festival Team Favorites
MA Media & Podcasts
A curated list of team favorites...
Bird Observer
The New England Birding Journal
Ray Brown’s Talkin’ Birds
Weekly Bird Report
If we are missing something or you wish to share a comment, please email us. If you are a representative of a club, email us and say hi! Please tag us at @bostonbirdfest on Instagram if you’d like us to share a free event on our social media channels.
Mass Audubon Birdathon
Massachusetts Birders Meeting
Superbowl of Birding
Bird Photography
https://www.psri.us/psricms/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Shawn-Carey-MA-Photo-locations-11-13.pdf
Select Hotspots
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Bear Creek, Saugus, MA
(walks by arrangement only)
Boston Harbor Islands
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Mt Auburn Cemetary
Great Meadows Wildlife Refuge (Concord Unit)
eBird MA hotspots link.
Birding Trails
American Bird Conservancy
American Ornithological Society
American
Important Bird Areas (IBAs)
Recommended
Conservation Organizations
Conservation Leaders with Public Programming
Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences
The Trustees of Reservation
Sudbury Valley Trustees
Island Heritage Trust (Deer Isle, ME)
Woods Hole Oceonorgraphic Insituite
Important Bird Areas (IBAs)
Activists Birding Organizations
Birding can bring people together. The organization listed here are dedicated to challenging historical patterns and prevailing views of outdoor recreation, birding and natural places and work to improve access to meaningful nature experiences.
Freedom Birders
Feminist Bird Club
Nature History Centers, Libraries and Museums
National Birding Organizations
Records and Reports
Community Counts & Roundups
Festival Team Favorites
MA Media & Podcasts
A curated list of team favorites...
Bird Observer
The New England Birding Journal
Ray Brown’s Talkin’ Birds
Weekly Bird Report
Pelagic Birding & Whale Watching
Select Hotspots
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Bear Creek, Saugus, MA
(walks by arrangement only)
Boston Harbor Islands
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Mt Auburn Cemetary
Great Meadows Wildlife Refuge (Concord Unit)
eBird MA hotspots link.
Birding Trails
American Bird Conservancy
American Ornithological Society
American
Thanks for your patience as we rebuild our website! Due to Covid-19, the Festival is now scheduled for the spring of 2024 when we hope everyone will be able to travel and gather again safely.
Between now and then, we plan to offer smaller events. More soon!
If you are interested in updates and announcements, please sign up for our emails. Thanks, stay safe, and good birding!
New England Bird & Nature Clubs
Joining a club is a great way to meet new people, explore nature and learn more about conservation, environmental justice, and biodiversity.
CONNECTICUT
Connecticut Young Birders Club (website, Facebook)
Connecticut Ornithological Association
Connecticut Audubon Society
CTBirds
Connecticut Waterfowlers Association
Hartford Audubon Society, West Hartford
New Haven Bird Club, New Haven , CT
Connecticut Ornithological Association
Connecticut Entymological Society (also on Facebook)
MAINE
Stanton Bird Club, Lewiston, ME
MASSACHUSETTS
Association of Massachusetts Bird Clubs
Feminist Bird Club, Boston, MA
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Exonian Birding Society (Facebook)
RHODE ISLAND
Audubon Society of Rhode Island Refuges
VERMONT
VT Leps
Vermont En
Brookline Bird Club (BBC)
MASSACHUSETTS
Anti-Racist Collective of Avid Birders
Eastern Hawk Watch
Friends of Bear Creek, Saugus, MA
Massachusetts Young Birders Club
New Hampshire Young Birders Club
Allen Bird Club, Springfield, MA
Athol Bird & Nature Club, Athol, MA
Boxborough Birders, Boxborough, MA
Cape Cod Bird Club, Brewster, MA
Emerald Necklace Bird Club, Jamaica Plain, MA
Essex County Ornithological Club, Salem, MA
Forbush Bird Club, Worcester, MA
Hampshire Bird Club, Hadley, MA
Hoffmann Bird Club, Pittsfield, MA
Northfield Bird Club, Northfield, MA
The Urban Nature Walks
Menotomy Bird Club, Arlington, MA
The Menotomy Bird Club
Merrimack Valley Bird Club
Nasketucket Bird Club Mattapoisett, MA
The New Haven Bird Club
Nuttall Ornithological Society
Ocean State Bird Club, Rehoboth,
Paskamansett Bird Club, Dartmouth, MA
South Shore Bird Club, Plymouth, MA
Bird & Nature Photography Groups
More Birding Resources
Conservation Leaders with Public Programming
Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences
The Trustees of Reservation
Sudbury Valley Trustees
Island Heritage Trust (Deer Isle, ME)
Woods Hole Oceonorgraphic Insituite
Nature History Centers, Libraries and Museums
Special Interest Groups
Acadia Birding Festival (late May)
Greater Cape Ann Chamber’s Annual Birding Boat Trip (March)
Mass Audubon Birdathon
Taking Flight: Birding in the Catskills (mid May)
Down East Spring Birding Festival (late May)
Trescott, ME, United States
Wings, Waves & Woods (September)
Adirondack Boreal Birding Festival
Rangely Lakes Festival (early June)
Massachusetts Birders Meeting (March)
Regional Festivals, Conferences and Special Events,
Important Bird Areas (IBAs)
National Birding Organizations
Records and Reports
Community Counts & Roundups
Festival Team Favorites
MA Media & Podcasts
A curated list of team favorites...
Bird Observer
The New England Birding Journal
Ray Brown’s Talkin’ Birds
Weekly Bird Report
Pelagic Birding & Whale Watching
Select Hotspots
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
Bear Creek, Saugus, MA
(walks by arrangement only)
Boston Harbor Islands
Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Mt Auburn Cemetary
Great Meadows Wildlife Refuge (Concord Unit)
eBird MA hotspots link.
Lake Champlain Birding Trail (VT and NY)
Essex National Heritage Area Birding Trail, Massachusetts
Connecticut River Birding Trail, New Hampshire And Vermont
Rhode Island Coastal Birding Trail
Birding Trails
Activists Birding Organizations
Birding can bring people together. The organization listed here are dedicated to challenging historical patterns and prevailing views of outdoor recreation, birding and nature experiences and work to improve access to nature for people in marginalized communities.
Freedom Birders
Feminist Bird Club
American Bird Conservancy
American Ornithological Society
American